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As the year comes to a close; tag: Catherine Dudley
Topic Started: Nov 27 2010, 09:54 AM (225 Views)
Katherine Parr
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28 December 1511

It was that time again. Another year was coming to a close, which caused Katherine to be particularly thoughtful. It was probably one of the hardest and most challenging years in not only her lives, but also those of her siblings. Although when she looked back at it, she realized that she had probably had an easier life than William and Anne.

After several failed attempts on her mother's part to secure a marriage contract for her, one that would be as profitable for Parr family as William's ill-fated marriage was some years ago, Katherine has been sent to Hampton Court to take a place amongst Queen Margaret's Ladies-In-Waiting. It was a peculiar form of punishment, but it was punishment nonetheless as her mother knew very well that her eldest daughter really did not care for court and whatever happened there. Therefore, not only her mother, but even Katherine herself were surprised when she actually seemed to thrive in the treacherous world of Henry VIII's court.

Of course, the first months she'd spent there weren't easy as they fell upon the time surrounding the Queen's untimely death and equally sudden rise of Francesca de' Medici, the Pope's bastard daughter sent to the England as a sort of liaison between Rome and Henry VII, to the role of the new Queen of England. Katherine was surprised by her own ability to get over all those changes. She had to get over them because of the role that she played.

It was the other surprising thing that happened in Katherine's life. Her unexpectedly close friendship with Lady Catherine Dudley, a girl exactly ten years younger than her, Lady of the Privy Chamber of first Queen Margaret and now Queen Francesca. Although, since Katherine's arrival they seemed to be unofficially sharing, maybe not the title, but certainly the responsibilities attached to it.

It was why she was now waiting in The Rooms of the Queen's Ladies, quiet at this time of the day. There were things that Katherine needed to discuss with the Countess of Warwick and they needed to do this alone, even if as Katherine had recently begun to suspect, the walls of Hampton Court seemed to literally have ears.
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Catherine Willoughby
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vérité sans peur
Katherine Parr was one of a kind: a virtuous, brilliant woman who Catherine looked up to immensely as someone to be admired, respected and imitated. Mostly for her mind, of which the younger Catherine was quite jealous, and the education she brought to the Queen's apartments. It set her apart from the gossip and relentless, idle chatter. It was why Catherine so enjoyed speaking to her and sharing her duties with Katherine: there was something familiar about her, but also, something she wanted to become. In a way, her view was like that of a little girl who idolized her older sister, having never had siblings of her own she could learn from and look up to. Sometimes she felt all too young and inexperienced in things to be Lady of the Privy Chamber. That was where Katherine came in. The two of them together were much more respected as a unit, she thought, than just Catherine on her own who despite being a married woman was only eighteen and younger than some of the other ladies who served Francesca.

Having stayed behind with Katherine whilst the other ladies in waiting went for a walk with the Queen or to chapel or wherever else they wanted to go to get away from interminable gossip and sewing, Catherine was glad it was finally--for once, so rarely--quiet. The Queen's apartments were always a cacophony of chatter and music. "It's a miracle," she said with a laugh, glancing to Katherine. "Don't you think? Now that it is quiet." She stood there, wondering what this was about, but it didn't take long for her to figure it out. Only an idiot couldn't and Catherine fancied herself fairly clever.

"You wished to speak with me?" Her voice changed. From pleasant and cheery, Catherine sounded more interested as if she were going to plot out a campaign or something along those lines, her brows rising curiously. She settled down in a chair, absently smoothing the folds of the dark gray skirt of her gown, fiddling with the chain about her waist. "Now would be the time, when we can speak alone, without interruption. I hope without anyone listening." Briefly she wrinkled her nose and laughed shortly, shaking her head; it was a joke, but it was probably true. God knew Her Majesty was worried about spies in her quarters, and if there were, then they surely would be spying on the other ladies as well--certainly the two with the most trust and responsibility, with the Queen's confidence in their hands.
[align=center]"I must shape my own coat according to my cloth, but it will not be after the fashion of this world but fit for me."

Catherine is in 2 threads.
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